E-mail Article Print-Friendly Version Contact Us

News

Hook backing Williams to shine again

Wednesday 14th May 2008

Watch him: Hook has warned the Springboks to keep an eye on Williams

As Wales step up their preparations for the two-Test tour of South Africa fly-half James Hook has warned the world champions they will not be able to blunt the threat of Shane Williams.

Hook, who has been in Ireland this last week with the rest of the Welsh squad, has told the Springboks that no amount of video analysis will enable them to deal with Wales' top try scorer.

The Ospreys fly-half, who can also play centre, admitted his team-mate will be a marked man after his exploits in the Six Nations, but at the same time Hook backed Williams to continue is fine form.

"South Africa is obviously going to be a really tough tour," Hook explained to The Western Mail.

"They will have done their homework on all of us, including Shane.

"They go in for a lot of video work in their preparations, but no amount of watching videos can stop Shane sidestepping you or going around you.

"We need him to carry on playing the way he has been to give us a great chance of beating the Springboks.

"Shane was a central figure in our Grand Slam win this year.

"He orchestrated our try in Dublin, got a vital score against France as well as scoring against Scotland.

"He was a major influence, and we'd have missed him if he hadn't been there.

"Who knows if we would have won it without him?

"He really is as fit and and quick as ever."

Hook will line-up at fly-half this Saturday for a Wales XV, captained by Williams, as they take on a World XV led by Justin Marshall for Williams' testimonial game at the Millennium Stadium.

Whilst the game is a celebration of Williams' career it will also prove to be a valuable run-out for Wales' players less than a month before they take on South Africa in back-to-back Tests in June.

And Hook insists that whatever the occasion he still sees it as a privilege to be playing alongside the little wizard.

"Shane is one of those players that when you are growing up, you never in your wildest dreams expect to play alongside," Hook continued.

"I watched him when he came into the Wales side and have seen at close quarters what a superb player he is.

"He's easily one of the best wingers in world rugby.

"Just training with him every day has been an absolute privilege.

"He lives for his rugby, and he's in the form of his life at the moment.

"I'm thrilled to bits he is being honoured with this testimonial match - he thoroughly deserves it."

Hook, still 22-years-old, has had a solid season and will look to end it on a high in South Africa. Having started the Six Nations as Wales' first choice fly-half Hook had to contend with losing his place to Stephen Jones at times.

There have been times for the Ospreys and Wales, when Hook has shown clear signs of his growing maturity and an increasing ability to dictate the pattern.

But the former Neath player would admit himself that he has yet to reach his potential.

That said, he insists he is not anxious about his selection for the coming assignment against the world champions.

"It's going to be exactly the same as the Six Nations. It's all up to Warren who he picks," added Hook.

"All I can do is try to keep improving and learning as a player, you cannot get uptight about these things.

"What the Grand Slam did prove is that competition for places really inspires the whole squad to up performance levels.

"After we'd won it, we did enjoy a couple of nights out, but we quickly came back down to earth.

"With the Ospreys, we had to concentrate on trying to be successful in Europe.

"To be honest, it's been a long, hard season, but we need to dig in for two more big games in South Africa.

"It doesn't come much more demanding than that and it's up to us to step up.

"Only then when the season is fully over will we properly be able to look back and reflect on what we've achieved.

"Obviously it would have been incredible to have followed up the Grand Slam with some Heineken Cup success, but it wasn't to be and we just have to move on from that now.

"It's been a long season for the regions and it was a huge surprise when I found out Phil Davies had been sacked.

"I don't know exactly what's been going on at Stradey Park, but I didn't expect that.

"If it's true that Nigel Davies and Gareth Jenkins are lined up for a return, I think they'll be OK."

For now though, Hook, while keenly aware that the trip to South Africa is looming and requires serious thought, is looking forward to the chance to strut his stuff on the more relaxed testimonial stage on Saturday.

And it's not just the rugby he is looking forward to.

Hook is hoping to see what has already been a fantastic year so far for Welsh sport crowned in the most unbelievable way.

"I think most of the boys are going to be dashing off for a shower and finding a TV screen while sinking a few pints," he added.

"It's Cardiff City in the FA Cup Final, which doesn't exactly happen every day, so I'll definitely be cheering them on.

"I'm a Spurs fan, but I think they've got a really good chance against Portsmouth.

"They're the underdogs, but I actually think they'll win.

"We've won the Grand Slam, Joe Calzaghe has proved he's the best boxer in the world - they say things come in threes, so why not?"